Group wants McGill metro station to be renamed because it causes trauma

A non-profit organization is pushing for Montreal’s transit authority to change the name of McGill’s metro station, saying it causes trauma for Black Montrealers every single day.

The African Diaspora Association of Canada (ADAC) wants the metro station honouring James McGill, the founder of McGill University, to be given a new name.

One of the province’s most prominent historical figures, McGill owned slaves and was involved in the Transatlantic slave trade.

“It’s like you telling Jewish people to take a train that stops at Hitler’s station,” said Otito Atansi, a member of ADAC.

“The Canadian government tells everyone that we are free and equal. How can we be free and equal when great monuments, great stations, are named after people that oppressed me and my people?”

Inside McGill metro station. (Credit: CITYNEWS/Pamela Pagano)

ADAC has submitted multiple requests to the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) for the name change. Another one was sent this year.

The non-profit hopes changing the station’s name will one day inspire a name change for the street – McGill College – and the university, both named after James McGill.

In a statement to CityNews, the STM said: “We are sensitive to the concerns expressed and work actively to promote diversity and combat systemic racism. However, the STM instituted a moratorium on name changes in 2006. The company’s overall orientation is to keep current station names, which are part of Montreal’s toponymic heritage and are integrated into the habits of our customers.”

The STM also said changing the name of the station would require changing the name of the avenue and the university as well.

Credit: CITYNEWS/Pamela Pagano

Dr. Myrna Lashley, an associate professor in the department of psychiatry at McGill University, says she makes a distinction between the institution and the man.

“As a Black woman, I certainly understand it, and there is the Black woman part of me saying ‘yeah,’” said Lashley. “But then I’m also an academic. I’m a professor, I’m a psychologist. I know what that sense of identity does for people and these young people, many of whom are in the fight to end racism, and I know they’re doing their bit. I don’t want to take away from them that sense of pride.”

Three other universities in Montreal also have a metro station in their name: Guy-Concordia, Berri-UQAM and Université-de-Montréal.

Since the metro opened in 1966, only five name changes have been made.

Atansi says he will continue pushing for the change.

“If the City of Montreal has diversity and inclusion as a goal, if the STM has that as a goal, I think changing this name is just in line with their goal.”